Employment across Wales has risen over the past year, seeing the biggest rise of all the nations and regions of the UK in the last three months.
The employment rate in Wales has risen 2.6% compared with the UK average of 0.4%, and there were 60,000 more people in work compared with a year earlier.
Economic activity (the number of people who are unavailable for work because they are either sick, caring for someone, studying full time or taking early retirement) has also decreased in three of Wales’s four economic regions.
There are 49,000 fewer economically active people in Wales than in the same period last year. The proportion is now 21.9%, which is lower than Scotland, Northern Ireland, Yorkshire and Humber, the north-west of England and the north-east of England.
Unemployment in Wales remains at 3.8%, which is lower than the UK average of 4%. The figures show that there were 10,000 fewer unemployed people in Wales compared with March to May, which is the biggest fall of all nations and regions of the UK.
Welsh Government economy secretary Ken Skates, said: “These results are broadly encouraging for much of Wales, particularly Mid and North Wales, and demonstrate that our approach to supporting businesses in Wales during challenging circumstances is having a positive impact.”
First Minister Carwyn Jones, said: “With a Brexit deal still yet to be secured, these are increasingly uncertain times. We will continue to do all we can to strengthen Wales’ economy in innovative and effective ways so we are in the strongest possible position to face the challenges ahead.”
He added that the figures were a testament to the Welsh Government’s work to support businesses and make it easier for people to access jobs.
